Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom

Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom
Name	Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom
Birth name	Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom
Birth date	1972
Birth place	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, actress
Years active	1994–present
Associated acts	Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, George Kahumoku Jr., Willie K, Mahi Beamer

Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom is an American Hawaiian vocalist, songwriter, and actress known for her work in contemporary Hawaiian music and hula accompaniment. She has recorded traditional Hawaiian mele and contemporary interpretations, collaborated with prominent musicians, and appeared in film and television, becoming a public figure in Hawaiian cultural revitalization and Pacific Islander performing arts.

Early life and background

Born in Honolulu on Oʻahu, she was raised within a family linked to Hawaiian musical traditions and hula communities in Mānoa, Kaneohe, and Wahiawa. Her early influences included performers and kumu hula associated with ʻohana networks in Maui, Kauaʻi, and Molokai, and she attended schools near University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and community centers on ʻEwa Beach. As a youth she participated in mele competitions and festivals such as Lei Day, Merrie Monarch Festival, and regional Hawaiian music showcases, receiving mentorship from kupuna who had ties to performers like Mahi Beamer, Helen Desha Beamer, and contemporaries in the Hawaiian music community.

Musical career

Her professional career began in the mid-1990s with recordings produced in studios located in Honolulu and collaborations with artists from the Hawaiian music scene. She has worked with musicians and producers linked to labels and venues in Los Angeles, Nashville, and Seattle, sharing billing with artists whose careers span genres including slack-key guitarists, ukulele players, and Hawaiian falsetto singers. Collaborative partners and influences include members of the Hawaiian Hall of Fame, recording artists such as Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, George Kahumoku Jr., and industry figures who performed at venues like Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Aloha Tower Marketplace, and the Hawaiʻi Theatre. Her repertoire mixes traditional mele composed by historic chanters with contemporary songwriting, performing at festivals including SXSW, Aloha Festivals, and international cultural events in Tokyo, Sydney Opera House, and Vancouver.

Discography and notable recordings

Her albums span traditional Hawaiian standards and original compositions recorded with musicians from ʻohana bands, island-based studios, and mainland producers. Notable recordings feature arrangements with slack-key guitarists associated with labels such as Hula Records and venues like Yoshio's and include collaborations with artists who have won awards from organizations including the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and performed on compilations alongside acts like The Ventures, Don Ho, and Hawaiian music ensembles that toured with productions linked to Disneyland and cultural diplomacy tours for United States Department of State programs. Her discography includes studio albums, live recordings from concert halls such as The Wiltern, and singles that received airplay on stations in Honolulu, Kauai, and mainland markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland.

Acting and media appearances

She has appeared in television programs, independent films, and documentaries highlighting Hawaiian culture, music, and hula. Appearances include roles in productions screened at film festivals like Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and Pacific-focused festivals in Auckland and Honolulu Film Festival. She has been featured in segments on networks and programs associated with PBS, HBO, and regional outlets such as KITV and KHON-TV, and participated in televised benefit concerts and variety shows alongside entertainers who performed on stages with Neal Diamond, Andrea Bocelli, and other international headliners during charity events.

Awards and honors

Her work has been recognized by Hawaiian music institutions and cultural organizations with honors from entities such as the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and acknowledgments from community groups connected to cultural preservation initiatives, hula councils, and arts foundations. She has been invited to perform at events hosted by governmental and nonprofit organizations including delegations associated with State of Hawaii cultural programs, civic celebrations at Iolani Palace, and anniversaries commemorated by heritage groups that collaborate with museums like the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum and performing arts centers such as the Hawaiʻi Theatre and Diamond Head Theatre.

Personal life and advocacy

Outside of performance, she is involved in advocacy for Hawaiian language revitalization, cultural education, and environmental stewardship programs that collaborate with mālama ʻāina initiatives on islands like Oʻahu, Maui, and Kahoʻolawe. Her public activities have included benefit concerts supporting causes connected to organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, health initiatives in partnership with medical centers like Queen's Medical Center, and educational outreach with institutions including Kamehameha Schools and community cultural centers. She has engaged with networks of artists, cultural practitioners, and civic leaders from locales including Honolulu, Hilo, Lihue, and communities throughout the Pacific region.

Category:Hawaiian musicians Category:People from Honolulu